Will California see rain or sunshine on Thanksgiving? Here’s the latest forecast
Thunderstorms have recently rolled through California, bringing gray skies, gusty winds, steady rain and mountain snow — but don’t pack away your umbrellas just yet.
According to the National Weather Service and the Old Farmer’s Almanac, more wet weather is on its way, with rain, snow and flood risks.
“An active southern stream of the upper jet will continue over the next few days, supporting a wet weather pattern from Southern California,” the weather agency said in a news release on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Will it rain on Thanksgiving Day?
Here’s what experts predict:
Will California see rain or sunshine?
A strong band of winds was expected to linger for the next few days, pushing steady showers through California, the National Weather Service said in its Thursday news release.
In Northern California and the Central Valley — including Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno — rain was expected to give way to fog, followed by sunshine.
Skies were also expected to clear in San Luis Obispo County, the agency said.
Meanwhile, the weather service predicted, “heavy rain” will continue to pummel southern California.
“This additional heavy rain threat will pose the risk of flash flooding, especially across burn scar and urbanized regions,” the National Weather Service said.
Am I at risk for flash floods?
According to the National Weather Service, flash floods can happen for many reasons, but they most often occur during heavy rain from thunderstorms.
The agency said that flash floods can occur “so quickly that people are caught off-guard.”
How fast flooding happens depends on several factors, including where the rain falls, how intense it is, the shape of the land, soil type and how wet the ground already is.
The National Weather Service said the highest flash flood risks are in Southern California, including San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and Imperial counties.
Will it rain Thanksgiving Day?
After the current system makes its way out of California, more wet weather is expected next week.
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center shows that the eight- to 14-day outlook leans toward “above normal” rainfall.
Recent forecasts indicate that there is a 33% to 50% chance of “above normal” precipitation across the Central Coast, the Central Valley and Southern California.
In Northern California and the Bay Area, “near normal” precipitation is expected.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the West Coast — including California — will “experience the wettest conditions” on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27.
“Holiday travelers should plan for damp drives and pack patience,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
Temperatures will be “colder-than-normal” and there will be “heavier rainfall in the southern Pacific Northwest and steady showers across California and Nevada” on Thanksgiving Day.
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 8:34 AM.
